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Dec
2
Chasing your opponent is not good; it shows a certain amount of desperation—you shouldn’t do it. I was watching some students train and as I watched I noticed one student trying to tie-up with another student and he was having a difficult time of it. He kept reaching for the collar, then the sleeve, then an attempt at getting an under hook from way too far away. I could tell he was getting frustrated.
Then the inevitable began to happen, he started chasing his opponent, reaching and lunging and sacrificing his base just to get a hold. He was compromising his good position just to grab a collar—he was chasing.
When you chase your opponent, you sacrifice something. Chasing wreaks of desperation. I’m not saying don’t be aggressive if that’s your personality, I’m just saying don’t be out of control; don’t charge in with reckless abandon. Be cunning and calm. You can pursue, follow, hunt, or stalk, but never chase. Be cold and calculating and confident; let your opponent come to you. Invite him closer with your relaxed state and then when he’s within distance, spring the trap.
Of course as always, these lessons deal directly with life. When we want something, whether it be a job, a promotion, or our black belt, we should never chase it. We should pursue with cunning, calm, and confidence and when it’s within distance—spring the trap.
